Improvement in oil or blu bber presses



' UNITED STATES PATENT OEEic WILLIAM I. OHADWIOK, OF EDGARTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent-No. 11,299, dated July 1l, 1854.

To all whom fit may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. CHADWICK, of Edgartown, in the county of Dukes and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Whale-Blubber Press; and I do hereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in the following specification, and the accompanying drawings, letters, figures, and references thereof.

Of the said drawings, Figure 1 denotes an external elevation, and Fig. 2 a central and vertical section, of my improved press.

A is the box or case, which not only constitutes a reservoir for catching the oil pressed from the blubber, but contains the platen and other parts of the pressing mechanism. This box is provide-d with a cover, B, hinged to it and made capable of being confined down by suitable means when closed.

O is the platen, which is arranged within the box and is perforated with numerous holes a a ct, 85e., and is guided in its vertical movements by rods or ways b b, placed and fastened against the inside surface of the box. This platen is firmly fastened to a long male screw, D, that extends down belowY it and plays through a female screw, E, that rests on the top of a platform or stand, F, that extends upward from the bottom-c of the box.

To the female screw is applied a bevel-gear, G, which is made to engage with a bevel-pinion, H, fixed on a crank-shaft, I, that projects through the side of the box and has a crank, K, on it.

The blubber to be pressed is thrown into the box and on top of the platen. When a sufcient quantity has been placed therein the lid or cover of the box is closed and fastened down. Next the screw-nut is put in revolution by a person. applying his hand to the crank and putting it in revolution. This causes the platen to rise and force the blubber up against the cover, and expresses the oil, which will run down through the holes of the platen, as well as through the space around its circumference. When sufficiently pressed the blubber or scraps thereof are to be removed and fresh blubber putin their place. The oil will fall into the box and lill it up to a level with or above the screw-nut. By having a suitable tap or draw cock on the side of the box and near the bottom the surplus oil may be removed from the box as fast as may be necessary.

By this construction of the press the screw and working parts of the mechanism are not only kept out of contact with the sea-water when the press is in use at s ea, but they are always kept well oiled or more or less immersed in oil, so as to prevent them from being rusted by the salt or humid atmosphere of the ocean. Besides this, my improved press is much more convenient in use than that heretofore patented by me.

I do not claim the combination of a screw,

platen, and box; nor the arrangement of the I screw within the body or interior of the box in connection with so applying it to one head of the box and to the platen that by its revolution it shall be drawn toward the said end of the box; but

What I do claim as my invention or improvement is- The arrangement of the screw within the body of the box, in connection with fixing it firmly and immovably to the platen, and so applying to it and one end or the bottom of the box, as described, a rotary screw-nut and a set of gears and a crank-shaft, that by revolution of the screw-nut the platen will be forced toward the top, (or other end of the box,) the said arrangement and application of the power that operates the platen enabling me to makea much more compact, efficient, and desirable blubber-press for ships use than that heretofore patented by me.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 10th day of February, A. D. 1854:.

WM. P. GHADWIGK.

Witnesses LEAVITT THAx'rER, P. W. THnxTER. 

